Deputies make arrest in Bonny Doon burglary

Sheriff's deputies in early February released this surveillance camera image of two men outside an Empire Grade Road home in Bonny Doon, allegedly after burglarizing the home. Jason Andrew Neal, 32, was arrested recently on suspicion of burglary after deputies found him and the gutted, spray-painted BMW off Bear Creek Road in the Bear Canyon area. The second suspect has not been apprehended .(Contributed)

BOULDER CREEK -- A 32-year-old man is due in court next week to face a burglary charge after Santa Cruz County sheriff's deputies tracked him down in the Bear Creek Canyon area, deputies said.

Deputies found the suspect, Jason Andrew Neal, off Bear Creek Road, said Felton-based Sgt. John Habermehl.

They also found a silver BMW that had been captured on surveillance video outside a property on Empire Grade Road in January, Habermehl said.

The four-door BMW sedan had been "rattle-canned" with black spray paint, stripped and dragged up on a ridge without its tires or wheels, Habermehl said.

Deputy April Skalland had released video surveillance of the car earlier, which showed two men apparently loading stolen property into the trunk. The second man has not been apprehended.

Neal was arrested March 21 on Highway 236 and booked on suspicion of burglary and a probation violation, jail records show. A man with him was arrested on suspicion of being under the influence, Habermehl said.

Whether the BMW was his or not is unclear, he said.

He said deputies needed a four-wheel drive to reach the area where it was found.

He said Neal had been "hanging out with people in Boulder Creek" and that several sources told deputies they believed Neal was connected with at least one Bonny Doon burglary.

How many he might have committed "is the question of the hour," Habermehl said.

"Patrol and investigations basically pounded the dirt trails and tracked him down," he said. "Some people take advantage of that area because it's not easy to get to."

Neal is believed to have stolen a gun, a television and a guitar or guitar case from the home, he said.

He said a property owner in the area had a "tree camera" set up, similar to one that would be used for hunting.